The Vice-Chancellor of Kwara State University, Malete, Professor Muhammed Akanbi, SAN, is dead.
He died on Sunday night after a prolonged illness at the age of 51.
Akanbi reportedly died at a hospital in Dubai after battling an undisclosed illness.
He will be buried on Monday, November 21, 2022 at his home town in Ilorin according to Islamic rites.
Briefly
Akanbi joined the services of the University of Ilorin in 1998 as Lecturer II. He was appointed as the Vice-Chancellor on April 1, 2020 at the age of 49.
The deceased’s father, Late Justice Muhammad Mustapha Adebayo Akanbi, served as the President of the Court of Appeal and was also the pioneer Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission. He died on June 3, 2018.
Prof Muhammed Akanbi was elevated to the rank of a Professor of Law in the Department of Business Law in 2012.
The legal icon, who was the second person to serve as the Head of the institution since its establishment in 2009, died two months before his 52nd birthday.
Until his death, he was a notable legal icon and law teacher that recorded milestone achievements at his youthful age.
He was an alumnus of the prestigious Kings College, University of London, United Kingdom
During the mandatory national youth service, Akanbi served as Legal Assistant in the legal unit of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Lagos State.
With over 23 years experience in the academia, he held notable administrative positions.
He had over 60 national and international publications in reputable journals, with major focus in Alternative Dispute Resolution and Arbitration Law.
Other research areas include conflict resolution laws, corporate management law and practice.
He served as the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ilorin Branch between 2007 and 2009.
Akanbi was also a member of the Technical Working Committee on 'An Independent Review of Evidence of Gross Violation of the Rights to Participation in Government and Fair Trial through the Election Petition Process in Nigeria' between 2003 to 2011.
The committee was commissioned by National Human Right Commission, Abuja, OSIWA and the Ford Foundation.
The late legal icon was also a Consultant/Member of the Technical Working Committee 2012, on 'A research that focused on the Legal framework of Citizenship and Religion as it affects National Integration in Nigeria'. It was also commissioned by International Development Law Organisation, Rome, Italy.
KWASU Registrar Confirms Death
The university’s Registrar, Mrs Kikelomo Salle has confirmed the death of Prof Akanbi.
In a statement issued in Ilorin, she said that Akanbi died on Sunday after a prolonged illness.
"We urge everyone to remember his immediate and extended family, and the University in prayers in this very trying time. Burial arrangements will be announced soon", she said.
Gov AbdulRazaq Condoles Family Members
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has condoled with the family of Prof Akanbi, describing his death as painful and shocking.
He said, ‘We submit to the decree of Allah who gives and takes. It is against this backdrop that we mourn the Vice- Chancellor, who answered Allah’s call tonight. He was a true and humble servant of Allah and we beseech our God, the Oft-Forgiving and Merciful, to grant him al-jannah Firdaus."
AbdulRazaq stated that Akanbi was a colossus, who led the opening of a new chapter of academic excellence and greatness for KWASU.
He also extended his condolences to the academic community, and members of the bar and the bench in Kwara State and across the country.
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